Calculus
Real eigenvalues
Phase portraits with eigenvectors along y=x and y=0.
Positive eigenvalues Negative eigenvalues One positive, one negative
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(0,0) unstable equilibrium (0,0) stable equlibrium (0,0) saddle point
Complex eigenvalues
Real part of eigenvalue is positive Real part is 0. Eigenvalues are purely imaginary.
(0,0) center (0,0) center
spiral outwards (since real part is positive) ellipse or circle (clockwise or anticlockwise)